We Are What We Eat

Lest we forget, our bodies are our permanent “homes”. We need to maintain our bodies in good health. 95% of all chronic disease is caused by toxic food ingredients, poor food choice, nutritional deficiencies, and lack of physical activities. Remember that every time we eat or drink — it is either we are feeding or fighting disease. (Unsplash photo)

Indeed. This much we should know: if we are what we eat then we should only eat the good stuff! According to Dr. Mark Hyman — food is not just calories, it is information. It talks to your DNA and tells it what to do. Food becomes the most powerful tool to change your health, environment, and your entire world is your fork.

Lest we forget, our bodies are our permanent “homes”. We need to maintain our bodies in good health. 95% of all chronic disease is caused by toxic food ingredients, poor food choice, nutritional deficiencies, and lack of physical activities. Remember that every time we eat or drink — it is either we are feeding or fighting disease.

Don’t succumb to fad diets either. Most fad diets fail because they backfire; when dieters restrict their calories, it often leaves them feeling hungrier and goes onto a diet-binge cycle. Fad diets can lead to eating disorders and lack of nutrition. Eventually, you also run the risk of gaining more weight. The healthy alternatives to food diets would be eating more fruit and vegetables, lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, legumes, dried beans, reduced-fat dairy, and whole grains. If you are to choose a diet, doctors have recommended the Mediterranean Diet as it is abundant in the above-mentioned foods.

Also, there’s an art to eating: we should chew our food slowly. Savour each piece of morsel, savour its’ flavour, taste, smell, and texture. When we eat slowly and chew our food thoroughly, we actually reduce our calorie intake and lose weight. Scientific studies have shown that people with weight problems tend to chew their food less than people with normal weight do. Eating slowly results to better digestion, more hydration, weight loss, healthier maintenance, greater appreciation, and most of all, satisfaction of our food!

Here are some healthy foods that are amazingly and surprisingly delicious that we should put inside our tummies:

• Fruits and Berries. Apples are high in both fibre and vitamin C. Avocados are loaded with healthy fats, fibre, vitamin C and potassium. Bananas provide you with vitamin B6, fibre, and potassium too. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants. Strawberries are rich in manganese, fibre and vitamin C. Oranges are also a great source of vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants.
• Unprocessed and gently cooked meats. Chicken breast is low in calories and fat. It contains lots of protein. Lean beef is the best source for highly bioavailable iron and protein. It’s perfectly alright to eat its fatty cuts if you’re in a low-carb diet. Lamb meat will give you plenty of omega-3 fatty acids. The best thing about cows and sheep — they are grass-fed! Stay away from pork — pigs don’t eat healthy — you are better off not knowing what pigs eat!
• Possibly the most nutritious food on planet earth! Hard-boiled eggs particularly are a low-calorie, nutrient-dense food. They’re an excellent source of high-quality protein and rich in B vitamins, zinc, calcium and other important nutrients and antioxidants like choline, lutein and zeaxanthin.
• Fish and seafood. Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin D. Sardinesand Tuna boast huge amounts of protein and both are also low in calories. Both contain omega-3 fatty acids which support brain function and combat cardiovascular disease. Eating mollusks, oysters, clam, shrimps, lobsters, and crabs provide nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, numerous minerals like zinc, copper, iron, and magnesium; good fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) and has lots of protein.
• Cruciferous veggies. These type of veggies are a diverse group that includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, green collards, mustard greens, kohlrabi, turnips, watercress, and radishes. They’re high in fiber, calcium, and are solid sources of beta-carotene (the precursor to vitamin A), B vitamins, vitamins E, K and vitamin C. According to National Cancer Institute, crucifers may have powerful anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Legumes. Green beans also known as string beans, kidney beans, lentils, and peanuts (yes, peanuts are legumes and are not true nuts) are loaded with fibre, minerals, and antioxidants. In addition, legumes are known to help you lose weight faster.
• Garlic. It contains bioactive organosulfur compounds that have powerful biological effects, including improved immune function.
• Quinoa. It is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat. It also contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains. Not to mention, it has iron, lysine, magnesium, riboflavin, and manganese.
• Nuts and seeds. Chia seeds, almonds, coconuts, and walnuts are rich in magnesium, vitamin E, fibre, and powerful fatty acids.
• Apple Cider Vinegar. Studies show that it can help lower blood sugar levels and cause modest weight loss. You can drink this with hot water or use it as a salad dressing.
• Lemons. My partner and I start our day with a cup of hot lemon water. It promotes hydration and helps with weight loss. It aids digestion. It helps prevent kidney stones. Lemon’s anti-inflammatory properties help in fighting respiratory tract infections, sore throat, and inflammation of tonsils.
• Green tea. Regularly drinking green tea can help you lose weight and reduce your risk of several diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Drinking three to five cups of green tea per day seems to be optimal to reap the most health benefits.
• Dark chocolate. It is a rich source of antioxidants and minerals, and it generally contains less sugar than milk chocolate. Some research suggests that dark chocolate may help lower the risk of heart disease, reduce inflammation and insulin resistance, and improve brain function.
• Lots of Water! Health authorities commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember. Drinking lots of water increases energy & relieves fatigue. Since your brain is mostly water, drinking it helps you think, focus, and concentrate better and be more alert. Drinking lots of water flushes our toxins, promotes weight loss, and is good for the skin!

The sad reality is we can’t control everything in our lives, but the good news is: we can control and have the power to choose what we put inside our bodies. The number one wealth is health. We are what we eat, so don’t be fast, easy, cheap, or fake! Your body is your temple — nourish it with love and care.